Ontario fines companies, jails director for failing to pay employees

The Ontario Court of Justice has sentenced the director of six Ontario companies to 90 days in jail for violations of the Employment Standards Act after failing to pay some of its employees.

Between March 2007 and October 2009, 61 employees from six companies, operated by Steven Blondin, filed claims with the Ministry of Labour for unpaid wages. An investigation by the ministry found wages were owed to all 61 employees.

Between February 2008 and April 2010, an employment standards officer issued 113 orders to the six companies and Blondin to pay over $125,000. None of the orders were paid.

Blondin and each company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the ministry's orders.

In addition to the jail term and fines totaling $280,000, Blondin and his companies were ordered to pay the wages owing to the employees along with a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act.

Since 2004, Ontario has recovered more than $90 million in wages to employees through inspections, claims and collections, according to the province.